Collapsible table



Oct. 10, 1933. FIMETZLER 1,930,176

COLLAPS IBLE TABLE Filed July 28, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 10, 1933.F. METZLER COLLAPSIBLE TABLE Filed July 28, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct.10, 1933. F. METZLER 1,930,176

COLLAPSIBLE TABLE Filed July 28, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 (Wm/12W I06 105g}, @7144 .mv

Patented Oct. 10, 1933 UNITED STATES COLLAPSIBLE TABLE FrederickMetzler, Utica, N. Y., assignor to H. R. Beebe Inc., Utica, N. Y., acorporation of New York Application July 28, 1932. Serial No. 625,422

'- 6 Claims.

- My invention relates to a collapsible table and I declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, concise and exact description thereof,sufficient to enable anyone skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawingsinwhich like characters refer to like parts throughout.

The object of the invention is to provide a table for use as a domesticarticle in a household, more particularly to be used as a serving tablefor conveying dishes from the kitchen to the dining room and vice-versa.Although this particular use is stated, obviously it may be used formany other purposes, such as transferring books from j room to room.

Furthermore, the structure might even be used for scaffolding or otherlike purposes. I

It is desirable that a serving table or scaffolding when not in useshould be pushed in a corner ;and occupy as little space as possible. Tothis end, the present table has castors thereon and is made collapsible.The collapsible feature contemplates dividing the table along itslongitudinal center line and hinging the parts together.

Moreover the hinged parts are so joined that they will remainautomatically in open or folded position to which the parts are moved.

These and other objects will be understood by referring to the drawingsin which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the table.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse section taken Figs. 5 and 6 aredetailed views enlarged show-- ing certain links employed. I

Fig. 7 is a detailed view enlarged showing a hinge employed.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a modified design of the table. I

Fig. 9 shows another modification.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the table embodies a framecomprising four uprights or legs 1, 1, 1, 1 disposed at corner locationsfor supporting an upper tray 2 and a lower tray'3. The framework furthercomprises horizontal side skirting rails 5, 5 which are fastened to legs1, 1, 1, 1 in pairs; one of said bars 5, 5 located above and the otherbelow in line with the location of trays 2 and 3 respectively.

Upper tray 2 embodies an auxiliary frame composed of side pieces orcleats 6, 6 that lie, adjacent or parallelto skirting rails 5 thoughspaced therefrom, and end skirting rails '7, 7, also certain cleats 16and a panel 10 hereinafter described. Side cleats 6, 6 and end skirtingrails 7, 7' have a mortise and tenon interlocking fit. End skirtingrails '7, '7 are divided at 8 and their free. ends square butted in eachinstance. A panel 10 that is divided also at 8 to form two parts restsupon said cleats 6, 6 and end skirting rails 7, 7 forming the auxiliaryframe. Horizontal station- 66 ary skirting rails 5, 5 are recessed orrabbeted at 9 to form a ledge for therespective edges of the parts ofpanelpiece 10 which rests in said ledges in a free manner to allow forthe swinging of the parts of tray 2.: It thus is apparent that uppertray 2 is divided into two'parts with upper surfaces of rails 5, 5 andpanel 10 flush. These parts are connected'in such manner that they canbe moved into parallel relation to each other as shown in full lines inFig. 3.

The means employed embodies L-shaped hinges 12 used at each of the fourcorners. Leaf 13 of hinge 12 is fastenedby screws to the near side ofleg 1; whereas L-shaped leaf 14: is fastened by screwsto under side ofend skirting rail '7, in each instance. Two flat hinges 15, 15 arefastened to the under side of end skirtingv rails '7, '7 adjacent to thecenter 8 to unite them at that location.

On the underside of bottom panel 10 along the division line there aredisposed interlocking cleats 16, 16 which are united to end skirtingrails '7, '7 by mortise and tenon joints. These cleats 16, 16 areattached to the respective portions of panel 10 by screws or otherwise.Cleats 16, 16 .will aid in strengthening the center portion of the paneland hold the parts in a flush manner when the table is in open'position. They will also act in conjunction with certain stay rods1'7,1'7 hereinafter mentioned to hold the table in extended position asshown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 anddotted lines in Fig. 3. The sides ofcleats 16, 16 have metallic strike plates l8, 18 which arefastened byscrews or other suitable manner to prevent wear on cleats 16, 16.

Cleats 16, 16 when united form an anchor or stay shoulder to preventhorizontal motion of the parts of the table and to make it rigid againstwhich the recessed upper free ends 19, 19 of stay rods 1'7, 17 abut tohold the table in open position. Stay rods 1'7, 1'7 are used in pairs ateither end of the table. They are pivoted to the near surfaces of legs1, 1, 1, l at 20, 20 y and to each other in pairs at end of rod 21.

Rods 17 are offset at 22 to clear each other and the framework.

Links 30, 31 are used to direct the upper free ends 19, 19 of stay rods17, 17 towards cleats 16, 16 when the table is moved from collapsed toopen or operative position. Link 30 is pivoted at 32 to a dependingbracket 33 fastened to the under surface of one of the upper sideskirting rails. 5, 5 whereas link 31 is pivoted to pivot rod 21 thatunites stay rods 17, 17. Links 30, 31 are pivoted in turn to each otherat 35. Link 30 has a lateral extending shoulder 36 formed by cutting itsend and bendingthe cut portion inward at 3'2. Link .31 has an openrecess formed at 38. tion 37 with recess 38 will provide a stop to limitthe movement of links 30, 31 from passing beyond a predeterminedposition to hold the trays 2 and 3 in horizontal position. Links 30, 31are 1 are fastened to the upper ends of legs 1, 1, 1, 1 *to form a guardto prevent articles on tray 2 from rolling off. End face rails 41, 41are recessed at 43, 43 to allow openings through which crumbs may beswept from the surface of the tray onto another hand tray used for thatpurpose. In forming openings 43 projections or handles are provided forat 45, wherebythe table can be moved from open to collapsed position asshown in full lines in Fig. 3 or vice-versa.

It will be observed that handles 45, 45 may be grasped from either sideof the table or from either end, whereby to. actuate the table from opento closed position.

Under-tray 3 embodies an auxiliary frame similar to that of upper tray2. It has side cleats 6, 6 and end skirting rails 'I, 7, which aredivided at 8 and square butted. A bottom panel 10 rests on said frame;skirting. rails 5, 5 of the main frame being recessed at 9 to form aledge for the reception of the free edges. of bottom panel 10 similar tothe upper panel therein.

There are also employed center interlocking cleats 16,16 as in the caseof tray 2 above. Said cleats 16, 16 are fastened by screws. or otherwiseto the undersurface of the respective parts of bottom panellO, wherebyto strengthen the cen-. tral portion of the tray 3 and keep parts ofpanel 10 flush when table is in openposition. Flat hinges 15, l5 uniteend skirting rails '7, 7 at each end of the table. v

It willbe observed, therefore,.that lower tray 3 is made in two equalparts that swing relative to each other similar to the structure of tray2. Moreover .L-shaped hinges 12, 12 as in upper tray 2; are employed anddisposed at 'each of the corners of legs 1, 1, 1, 1; one leaf 13 beingattached to the near side of leg 1' and the other L-shaped-leaf 14 tothe underside of each of the end skirting rails '7, 7.

Furthermore, tray, 3 has side face rails 40, 40 and end face rails 41,41 to prevent articles rolling off the panel 10. End face rails 40 areequipped with openings to allow for the exit of crumbs.

The means for causing trays 2 and 3 to collapse together embodiesconnecting links '70, '70 located at opposite ends of the table. 'Eachof the links 70, is pivoted at 71 to one of the end face rails 41 ofupper tray 2 and at 72 to one ofthe end face rails 41 of the lower tray3.

The engagementof por- 7 Space washers '73 are mounted on said pivots 71and 72 adjacent rails 41 and 72.

The means for locking the table in open or extended positioncontemplates the use of branch links '75, 75. Each of the links '75 ispivoted at 76 to connecting link '70. Branch link 75 has at its free endan open slot '77 adapted to engage a headed pin 78 fastened to leg 1, 1,1, 1 and to the end face rails 41, 41 of upper tray 2.

The upper ends of legs 1, 1, 1, 1 are beveled off at to avoid any sharpcorners. To the lower ends of legs 1, 1, 1, 1 are attached casters 81,81, 81, 81 having rubber or felt tires, whereby the table may be movedover the floor in a noiseless manner.

In using the table it may be folded into collapsed position by graspingone set of handles 45, 45 provided in end face rails 41, 41 and pullingupwards collapsing the table to fully closed position as shown in fulllines in Fig. 3. The table will remain automatically in collapsedposition due partly to friction between movable connecting parts andalso because the weight of each part of the table exerts a force in adirect downward vertical plane. It may be locked in closed position; bylinks 75.

As the table is moved toopen or extended position each pair of the stayrods 17, 17 located at opposite ends of the table will turn on theircommon pivot rod 21, whereby the free ends 19, 19 will open andgradually approach and grip the opposite sides of interlocking cleats16, 16 similar to'the action of a pair of tongs or pliers. Furthermore,free ends 19, 19 will be guided toward cleats 16, 16 by links 30and31... When closing the table, cleats 16, 16 will move upwards andaway from the free ends 19, 19 ofstay rods 17, 17.

When lowering the table to open or extended position branch links '75,75 can be moved upon their respective pivots 76, 76 to cause their openslots 77, 77 to engage headed pins 78, 78 on end face rails 41, 41 tolock the parts 'in open position..- Likewise said links 75, 75 canbemoved to engage headed pin 78, '78 on legs 1, 1, 1, l to lock the partswhenthe table is in completely collapsed or folded position shownin fulllines in Fig. 3.

When the table is collapsed and locked it will remain in uprightposition and can be moved freely in any direction on its noiselesscasters .81, 81, 81, 81 without danger of falling over.

Figure 8 shows a modified design which has been adapted moreparticularly for a writing table. In this instance one of the uppersides of facing rails 40 has been cut away at 90 leaving an open recesswithout a guard and'the upper panel 10 flushed with the edge of thetable.

The lower tray 3 is cut away on the arc of a circle at 91 on the sidecorresponding to the cut away portion of the upper tray 2, whereby toallow space for the lower limbs of a person sitting up close tothe tablepreparatory to using it as a writing desk, typewriting table orotherwise.

, Fig. 9 shows a modification employing brackets 100, 100 which arehinged at 101 to legs 1, 1 and hinged to each other at 102 and haverecesses at 103 which co-operate to form jaws that perform the samefunction as the jaws of stay rods 17, 17. There are also employedadjacent lower tray 3, brackets-105,105 hinged at 106, 106 to legs 1-, 1and to each other at 107. In all other respects this modification issimilar to the table heretofore described.

Having thus described my inventionwhatI claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is asfollows:

1. In a collapsible table, an upper and lower tray, standards forsupporting said trays, pivotal means for holding said trays to saidstandard, a connecting link for causing said trays to movesimultaneously, cleats formed on said trays to aid in holding them inpredetermined position, and rods pivotally mounted to said standards andto each other to aid in holding said trays in open position.

2. In a collapsible table, a plurality of trays, standards forsupporting said trays, said trays being divided into equal parts, rodsconnecting said trays, whereby they will move together, members formedon said trays whereby to aid in hold-' ing them in flush position andstay rods having open recesses pivoted to said standards andadapted toengage said members, whereby to support certain trays in movableposition.

3. In a collapsible table, trays disposed above each other, standardsfor supporting said trays, rods connecting said trays, whereby to causethem to move together, interfitting cleats formed on said trays wherebyto aid in holding them in flush position, stay rods pivotally mounted tosaid standards and to each other and said stay rods having open recessesadapted to engage said cleats, whereby to hold said trays in openposition.

4. In a collapsible table, standards for supporting trays, said traysbeing divided into parts, rods connecting said parts, whereby the saidtrays will move simultaneously, cleats formed on said trays, said cleatsbeing interfitting, whereby to aid in holding said. trays in flushposition, stay rods pivotally supported to said standards, said stayrods having open recesses for engaging said cleats, whereby to aid inholding said trays in open position and a link connected to said firstmentioned rods, whereby to lock said table in open position.

5. In a collapsible table, an upper and lower tray, standards forsupporting said trays, pivotal means for holding said trays to saidstandard, means attached to said trays for causing them to movesimultaneously, means formed on said trays to aid in holding them inpredetermined position, and rods pivotally mounted to said stand-

